Latest news with #MinistryofEmploymentandLabor
Korea Herald
5 days ago
- Korea Herald
Alleged bully behind death of MBC's Oh Yoanna faces civil suit
Bereaved family of late former weather presenter seeks civil compensation, frustrated by legal loophole preventing punishment of perpetrators The civil lawsuit related to the death of Oh Yoanna, formerly a weathercaster for broadcasting station MBC, is slated to resume in July, against a colleague pinpointed as having bullied her. Local media reported Tuesday that the Seoul Central District Court will hold a hearing on July 22 in the compensation case filed by the bereaved family of Oh. The sentencing hearing was originally scheduled for March 27, but was postponed after the defendant — who had previously failed to respond to the court proceedings — submitted documents indicating she had hired legal representation. Oh passed away last September at the age of 28. In 17 pages of notes written by the deceased, Oh had specified how she had been harassed at work. Four individuals were identified by local media as alleged perpetrators. Oh's family later clarified that one of the four had been a bystander, not an active participant in the bullying. The Ministry of Employment and Labor's investigation concluded earlier this month that there had been incidents of harassment against the deceased by her colleagues. However, it noted that this did not legally constitute workplace harassment as defined by the Labor Standards Act, because weathercasters by law are not recognized as 'workers.' The ministry stated that it is not subject to criminal punishment or administrative fines as the Labor Standards Act does not apply to the vocation of Oh and her colleagues, adding that MBC is responsible for conducting an independent investigation and pursuing punitive actions for those responsible. The bereaved family expressed regret over the government's conclusion. "(Oh) did all that MBC told her to do, and the Labor Ministry says she's not a worker. Did the ministry make this decision not to get on MBC's nerves? How can it reach a decision that tears apart the bereaved family? Did they even properly investigate?" said Jang Mi-yeong, Oh's mother, about the ministry's announcement. MBC expressed its condolences to Oh and her family after the ministry released its statement, and dismissed one of the alleged bullies from her post.
Korea Herald
27-04-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
LX Pantos training center designated as government-backed academy
Korean logistics company LX Pantos announced Sunday that its specialized training center for home appliance installers has been officially designated as an accredited academy operator by the Ministry of Employment and Labor, making it eligible for government support. The designation is part of a state-led initiative, operated by the Labor Ministry and the Human Resources Development Service of Korea, that provides government subsidies to training programs for employees of small and medium-sized enterprises partnered with large corporations to help enhance workforce capabilities. LX Pantos earned high marks across all evaluation criteria, including program content and infrastructure suitability, the company explained. Following the designation, it will officially launch new programs in May, offering them free of charge to anyone interested in pursuing a career in appliance installation. 'This initiative will help alleviate the staffing challenges faced by our SME partners,' said an official from LX Pantos. 'We aim to lead the way in building a cooperative training ecosystem that aligns with our ESG management values.' Since 2004, the company has operated a 660-square-meter training center at LG Digital Park in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, under the name LX Pantos Last-mile Delivery/Installation Academy, training more than 7,000 installation technicians each year. The academy features sessions that replicate real-world home environments and offers 24 hands-on, customizable training programs focused on installing products such as TVs, washing machines and air conditioners.
Korea Herald
16-04-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
15 company chiefs convicted since 2022 enforcement of Serious Accidents Punishment Act
Fifteen business executive chiefs in South Korea have been handed guilty verdicts under the Serious Accidents Punishment Act since the law's enforcement began in January 2022, the Ministry of Employment and Labor said Wednesday. Between January 2022 when the law came into effect and 2024 year-end, a total of 15 cases were finalized and reported to the ministry. Fourteen of the cases sentenced the company chiefs a suspended prison sentence of one to three years, with just one receiving a one-year prison sentence. The 15 companies were also each assessed penalties of between 20 million and 100 million won ($14,000-$70,000). The Serious Accidents Punishment Act, enacted to hold employers accountable for major workplace accidents, mandates punishment for company heads for serious industrial incidents under their watch. Applicable accidents include those involving at least one fatality, two or more workers suffering injuries requiring at least six months of treatment caused by the same accident or three or more cases of occupational illness caused by the same hazardous factor within a year. If a serious industrial accident occurs and the employer is found to have failed in fulfilling safety obligations, the law prescribes a minimum of one year in prison or a fine of up to 1 billion won. Meanwhile, the ministry on Wednesday also publicly disclosed the names and details of seven workplaces found guilty of violating the law in the latter half of last year, including SY Panel. Under the law, authorities can disclose the company's name and the location, time and cause of the accident, as well as the history of the company's major accidents in the past five years once the conviction is finalized and announced. The seven companies were involved in fatal accidents, such as workers falling from scaffolding or being crushed to death during industrial robot inspections. One case involved multiple workers suffering acute chemical poisoning while handling hazardous materials. All seven executives received suspended prison terms. Deputy Labor Minister Kim Min-seok said the public disclosure is intended to reinforce social consequences of violating the law and to promote a culture of prioritizing worker safety. 'We hope this announcement strengthens awareness that violating the Serious Accidents Punishment Act leads to public disgrace and spreads a culture that sets value on the safety and life of workers,' Kim clarified. 'The government remains committed to reducing serious workplace accidents, especially through targeted oversight of high-risk sites and support for small businesses.'
Korea Herald
17-02-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Lunch prices are rising fast, but wages aren't keeping up
Finding an affordable lunch is becoming increasingly difficult for office workers in South Korea. The cost of eating out has surged over the past four years, far exceeding wage growth, and pushing more employees to rely on convenience store meals or company cafeterias. According to the Korea Consumer Agency, a bowl of kimchi-jjigae (kimchi stew), a typical go-to lunch option, cost an average of 8,269 won ($5.73) in Seoul as of December, 22.8 percent higher than in 2020. The price hike has been even steeper in cities like Daejeon, where the same dish jumped 52.3 percent over the four-year period, reaching 9,900 won ($6.87). The price of a roll of gimbap in Seoul, considered one of the most budget-friendly choices, climbed 32.7 percent over the same period, now costing 3,500 won. Dining out has become significantly more expensive overall. The price index for commonly eaten foods, including meals, coffee, and alcohol, rose 21.0 percent from 2021 to 2024 -- about 1.5 times higher than the general consumer inflation rate of 14.2 percent. The steepest increases occurred in 2022 and 2023 as food supply costs surged. Wages lag behind However, wage growth has lagged behind. South Korea's Ministry of Employment and Labor reports that the average monthly wage for employees at companies with at least one worker rose 14.9 percent between 2021 and 2024 -- barely keeping pace with overall inflation but failing to match the sharp rise in food prices. The situation is even tougher for workers at the bottom end of the pay scale, as the minimum wage increased by only 13.1 percent in the same period, from 8,720 won per hour in 2021 to 9,860 won in 2024. With lunch prices soaring, many office workers have turned to cheaper alternatives. A survey conducted in November by South Korean consumer research firm Embrain Trend Monitor found that 30.2 percent of workers now buy their meals at convenience stores or supermarkets, up from 22.0 percent in 2021. The use of company cafeterias has also grown, from 49.6 percent to 55.2 percent over the same period. Sales data from major convenience store chains reflect this shift. GS25 reported that lunchbox sales in 2024 were 3.2 times higher than in previous years, while rice ball sales rose nearly threefold. CU, another leading chain, saw sales of samgak gimbap (triangle-shaped rice balls) more than double. Despite these cost-cutting efforts, food expenses are taking up a growing share of household budgets. Statistics Korea data shows that in the first three quarters of 2024, the average urban household with two or more people spent 14.4 percent of its monthly budget -- 516,765 won -- on food. The portion spent specifically on dining out has risen from 12.4 percent in 2020 to 13.9 percent in 2022, reflecting the fact that eating out costs have climbed faster than overall inflation and income growth. As a result, meal allowances have become a major sticking point in labor negotiations. In 2024, university cleaning workers in Seoul gained public sympathy when they demanded an increase in their daily meal allowance from 2,700 won to 3,100 won. Their claim that '2,700 won isn't even enough for a single roll of gimbap' resonated with many South Koreans, leading to a successful labor agreement. The issue has also caught the attention of policymakers. At the end of 2024, an opposition-led special committee on wage protection proposed raising the monthly tax-exempt meal allowance from 200,000 won to 300,000 won to help workers cope with rising food costs. However, experts warn that only large corporations can afford to provide such benefits. Kim Jong-jin, director of the Korea Worker Institute, said, 'Low-wage workers are hit hardest by rising food prices. The government should consider tax benefits (for them) or a higher minimum wage to help them keep up.'
Korea Herald
10-02-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Uncertainty looms large over expanding Filipina domestic worker pilot program
Seoul's ambitious plan to recruit more women from the Philippines as domestic helpers in South Korea could founder, as its expansion into a full-scale initiative remains uncertain ahead of its trial deadline that had been set for late this month. The South Korean government, instead, has decided to temporarily extend the pilot program for Filipino domestic workers to ensure continued service for households currently using the program, the Ministry of Employment and Labor said. A ministry official stated that the extension aims to prevent disruptions for existing users before transitioning to a full-scale program. However, the exact duration of the extension has yet to be determined. Launched in September 2023, the six-month pilot program has allowed foreign domestic workers with E-9 visas to assist dual-income, single-parent and large families with children. Currently, 98 workers are providing services to 185 households in Seoul. The government initially planned to expand the program nationwide, increasing the number of foreign domestic workers to 1,200. However, a demand survey conducted in December last year showed limited interest outside of Seoul, with only minimal requests from Busan and Sejong and no demand from 14 other municipalities. Concerns over labor rights, low wages and delayed payments further complicated the transition to a permanent program. To address potential service gaps, the ministry will extend the pilot program on a monthly basis until a full-scale program is launched. As part of this extension, the work visas for Filipina domestic workers will also be prolonged. The ministry plans to extend the initial seven-month E-9 visa period by an additional 29 months, allowing workers to stay for a maximum of 36 months. E-9 visas are issued to citizens of Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, East Timor, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Uzbekistan and Vietnam to do "nonprofessional" labor. Originally, E-9 visa holders could only work in the agriculture, fisheries, manufacturing and construction sectors, with restaurants serving Korean food, hotels and resorts, forestry and mining added more recently. The program has been expanded to include domestic services like child care and housekeeping. Meanwhile, service providers have indicated potential cost adjustments. Households currently pay an hourly rate of 13,940 won ($9.60), which includes the minimum wage of 10,030 won and social insurance costs. A notice sent to users stated that service prices and other conditions may change, with details to be announced later. In response to growing concerns that the service fee could increase once the program is turned over to private firms, the Labor Ministry confirmed that specific measures on how to operate the program and pricing adjustments are still under review. The expansion of the program into a full-scale initiative remains uncertain. A Seoul city government official noted that issues related to visas and the employment permit system require coordination with the Ministry of Employment and Labor. A ministry representative stated that discussions are ongoing, but declined to provide a timeline for a final decision.
